Waiting and Watching

Friends,
   On Wednesday (2/16) Rose finished the first part of her radiation treatment--the 'full brain' radiation. For the next couple weeks we will be waiting for it to have taken effect completely. Then the imaging, calibrating, and mapping will begin, in preparation for the second part, the 'radiosurgery,' scheduled for mid-March. So much is unknown at this point. I wish we had more concrete news to relate--some actual good news would be particularly nice--but we don't. So this, I fear, is a rather perfunctory update. Thanks again for all the good vibes coming our way, articulated in whatever way they may be.
Love,
J&R

Stumped.

Okay, then. Now what?

Friends,

   We are halfway through the generalized radiation treatments. Meds have been reduced.  Motor skills are returning--high fives delivered Sunday night when the Packers scored, navigating the place without a walker, even a foray upstairs--so the inflammation is being reduced.

   Overheard one recent evening at bedtime, "Well, I'll just get better. That'll fucking show'em." The game-face is back on. Keep shaking those pom-poms, okay?

Love,

Jim

p.s. I may, inadvertently, have disabled comments. I didn't mean to. We welcome them.-jp 

...speaking of game-faces...

A SEVERE SETBACK FOR ROSE

Friends,

   During the brief period of time since I deleted the original "Pickering's Posts" blog (on WordPress) Rose has learned that her lung cancer has metastasized to her brain. She is currently undergoing a course of whole-brain radiation which will be followed by evaluations, 'mapping,' and radiation surgery--a non-invasive procedure which involves extremely precise radiation aimed specifically at  two small tumors. She is at home now after a 3-night stay at the hospital.

   The purpose of this blog is to keep our friends and other interested people informed and up-to-date on her progress through this latest challenge. We are grateful for all the support and good wishes you  have conveyed to us in the past, and we look forward to hearing from you again.

Love,

Jim

p.s. Facebook group Team Rose 2011 may be found at

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_191575254193772&ap=1